I'm trying to get as much

done tonight as I can.  I'm not doing a whole lot and I don't even think I'm decorating the porch this year.  This is what I've done to the entryway.

I don't have the actual papel picado for Day of the Dead, this is just a generic fiesta banner from Walmart.  I bought another one and that's what I'd hang outside if I do anything.  I have a few more of the tissue flowers so I'd probably do a couple of those out there too.  I'd like to have done it tonight but it's raining so...

Side note: this is the ladder I got for Christmas last year.  I really like how it's adjustable, even though it is a little heaver than my last ladder.  I didn't think about one thing though... how big it is.  I found out exactly how small it isn't when I had to change a light bulb over the toilet.

Oops.  I got stuck.

Anyway, I got the garland and banner up and then went to light all the candles to get an idea how it'll look at night.  I made another trip to Dollar Tree for all the candles.  These are the type of candles I like to keep in the cabinet for emergencies.

I need to add some framed pictures of the grandparents up here and maybe a table cloth or runner.

This is the opposite wall.  I don't really know what to do there.

And then I'll leave my candy bucket here.  If the baby's here, those two candles will for sure go somewhere else (along with the candy).

I collected the flowers leftover from the headband and candy bucket and put them in this thing by the buffet.

I need to figure out what else to do.  I still have tomorrow but I'm just trying to get as much done tonight as I can.  I'll be babysitting tomorrow and certain things won't be so easy.  Oh well, looking at it now from the blog, maybe I've done enough tonight.

Yeah, I guess that'll do.  Time for bed.

for the last few years I've

been writing the names in the book of the dead for the church.  When they asked me if I knew calligraphy, I told them I did when I was 10.  We went with it.  When you're not an expert on calligraphy and you're writing names in an official book with permanent ink, things can get a little intense.

Take, for example, this name.  Vincent.  That's V-I-N-C-E-N-T, definitely not VinE...

Yeah.  That happened and I was stressing.  We discussed my options and figured whiting it out would be the best option.  I thought I'd try looking online for off white correction tape or Liquid Paper.

Believe it or not, it's a thing.

WHEW!  Wite Out called it buff while Liquid Paper called it buff for ledgers or something.  I had to get a two-pack and fast shipping, but hey, I needed it.  It was delivered today and after a quick little dab of the sponge, Vine was back to Vinc and all was good.

Now I just hope this stuff lasts since the writing's only done once a year and I've got two whole bottles.

Speaking of the dead, I thought I might dress up in a Dia de los Muertos theme for Halloween.  I made a trip to Dollar Tree and Walmart today for costume supplies.

I decorated a headband

and a pumpkin for handing out candy.

It's supposed to be the coldest Halloween we've had in a long time, with a low of 37.  I don't know how many kids will be out so I started pulling out the stuff I don't like to fill my distribution bucket.  You know, just in case the crowd dwindles down fast and we're stuck with a lot of candy.

Now I just need to figure out what to wear because the skirt I thought I still had isn't in the closet.  I might wear pants instead.  I don't know.  I need to do some trying on and checking out.  I also need to go back to the store and buy some candles.  I think I might set up a Dia de los Muertos altar.  I was reading up on it all, wanting it to be right but then I started thinking.  What if I only make part of it right?  Like what if I only get the part that "calls" my loved ones back for a visit right?  What if I mess up on the part that "sends them back" or tells them to leave when the party's over?  Are they stuck here?  Are they going to haunt me?  I have another day to research... and possibly change my mind.  If I don't follow through, at least my costume was just stuff I found at Dollar Tree and Walmart.

Okay, I need to go check the score.  Last I saw, the Astros were behind.  That's when I turned the tv off.

I've had carrot cake on

the brain for a few weeks.  I bought carrots and have been looking around at recipes.  I finally settled on THIS one.  It was at this point right here that I decided I wasn't really in the mood for carrot cake anymore, but strawberry cake was sounding better.

But while I didn't have any strawberries, I had three cups of grated carrots.  What else do you do with grated carrots?  I know Luby's has that carrot and raisin salad but do people really eat that?  Yuck.  I went ahead and powered through.

I'm glad I did.  That's the first time I've ever made a carrot cake from scratch and I thought it was pretty good.  But let's not talk about that right now.  I just had a piece and I might've overdosed.

I just watched Yesterday.  Well, I watched most of Yesterday.  I don't think Cosme saw any of it.  We both did some major napping.  Anyway, the movie is based on some glitch or alternate universe where The Beatles don't exist (but some people remember the songs).  The part that really got me was the main character's mom handing him a Pepsi.  He gave it a weird look and asked if they had Coke.  She didn't know what he was talking about.  GASP.  That seems like a bigger story for me.  I can do without Strawberry Fields Forever, but Coke?

Ugh.  Maybe that's what I need to wash down the carrot cake.  I need something.  Popcorn would be good but I barely feel like starting the dishwasher.  I should probably just settle for another nap, an eight hour one would be cool.

I think I've done enough

complaining for everyone to know that my back has been bothering me.  It all started a few years ago.  I started going to the chiropractor, we got a new mattress, and the aches eased off.  I haven't been going to the chiropractor, we needed a new mattress, and the aches were back.  I was using Icy Hot and ibuprofen daily.  I went down to look at mattresses one day and found one I LOVED.  I told them I knew I didn't want memory foam because I don't want to feel like I'm sinking into a mattress.  They led me to it and as soon as I got on, I said that was the one.  It was a Purple.  I tried the 2 Hybrid and the 3 Hybrid.  The 3 was too soft.  If you haven't seen what it's made of, you should.  It's pretty awesome.  Anyway, we didn't do anything about it because I wasn't about to buy a mattress without Cosme trying it out first.  One day, I thought.

I'm not sure exactly what the mattress grid is made of but this miniature piece is fun to squeeze.

Last weekend my back was aching so I messaged a massage therapist on Sunday.  I asked if she did chair massages and told her about my back and how I'm weird and can't do a regular massage.  She scheduled me for Tuesday.  Cosme had a break on Monday evening so we went to Mattress Firm so he could test the Purple mattress.  He got on and loved it.  He actually thought the 2 Hybrid was soft and liked how the Original was firmer.  They actually feel about the same but the Hybrid seems bouncier.  (I don't think the Original has springs.  I don't know.)  We left with the Original, having 120 days to exchange it if we don't like it or want to go for the Hybrid.

It is definitely firmer than our other mattresses and it took me a day or so to get used to it.  It took Cosme a little longer and I think he still might be thinking about going back for the Hybrid.  Oh, it also stays cooler than regular mattresses so my weighted blanket definitely helped me get used to that.  I went for the chair massage the next day, which helped whatever I pulled in my back while setting up the mattress.

To wrap that long story up, I haven't needed Icy Hot or ibuprofen since last Monday.  Well, I did need ibuprofen but that was for a headache.  The Icy Hot and ibuprofen are a lot cheaper than the mattress but this way feels better.

Yeah, so much for

whatever goal I had.  What was it?  Keeping with my daily photo?  Keeping up with posting?  Both?  More?  Whatever.  All I know is nothing happened.  Once again, there's nothing crazy keeping me from anything, just regular old stuff keeping me busy.

Going through my phone pics since Oct 1, it looks like only a few things have been picture worthy... other than the obvious pics of Little E.

I made a batch of pancakes, with one looking kind of sinister.

Do you see it?  The two creepy eyes looking to the side with a creepier grin?


I posted a photo for National Get Funky Day.

I actually made it through half the month, taking on the National Day theme with the regular daily one like I talked about.  Maybe it was too much to take on.  I burned out and here I am again, lying low on social media.  It could also be an introvert thing.  I posted a pic of the baby on fb and got a lot of feedback.
Current mood: radio silence.

I am about to post something on fb though.  I'd like to go to a bar downtown tomorrow, La Carafe.  I've never been but it's been sounding kind of fun.  It's the oldest building in downtown Houston and it's haunted.  I'm scared so I'd like to find out how many people have gone and actually experienced anything.  I looked up a few videos and started to get even more scared.  Then I watched part of a recent interview with Edward Snowden and I'm thinking the ghosts don't scare me as much as the government.  Yeah, all that NSA junk is old news, but the video was just an oh, yeah moment.
Ghosts, schmosts.  (Just kidding, ghouls.  I'm still scared.)

We went for a Coke one evening when Cosme was done working and we ended up at the beach.

Nothing sets the tone for a perfect sunset shot like palm trees and an industrial zone.  That's sarcasm there, folks.  The palm trees need to go.

I guess that's about it.  Well, plenty more has happened but do you really want to hear about all the Zyrtec I've been taking?  Besides, it's almost 10:30.  It's late and I'm tired.  I can talk about the new restaurant in town and our new mattress later.

i think I have the bed

gadget situation under control.  I ordered a little bedside pocket for the remotes so we'll see how it goes.  It should be here today.  While I was at it, I fixed my favorite headphones.

These are seriously the best headphones.  Little bits have been breaking off lately and I've been gluing them back.  Glue wasn't an option this last time, but I couldn't stand the thought of throwing them out just because one side was dangling.  I didn't take a before pic but they looked just as bad as the after pic... but they still sound awesome.

Another thing that's really been giving me problems lately has been allergies.  Sheesh, it's been bad.  Allergies and sinus pressure, ugh.  I ran out of Zyrtec D last week so I was taking Benadryl and a nasal decongestant.  I didn't have to worry about passing out because the baby wasn't here.  She's back and now I've had to wean myself off the strong stuff.  I'm telling myself Zyrtec is helping but the lingering pressure and sneezes didn't get the memo.

Oh, my car also started acting up.  I tried to take off the battery cables to clean everything but couldn't.  I took a dinner/Coke break and thought about how much I didn't want to take it to the shop.  I guess that gave me the strength I needed.  I went back out to try it again and it slipped right off.  Whatever.  I also covered myself in OFF! the second time.  When I went to remove the positive side, everything just crumbled apart.  I headed to AutoZone just before 9:00 and picked up a universal terminal.  Lexus isn't about making anything easy so forget about anything universal fitting.  I spent the rest of the evening looking for the fastest way to get a positive terminal while trying to keep the S/H as close to free as possible.  I finally found one on Amazon and it'll be here tomorrow.  Until then, I'm without a ride.

Cool.  I need to get some groceries today.  I need to return raffle tickets to the church.  Remember when I was saying there wasn't really anything going on?  I jinxed myself.

A new photo challenge starts today.  This month it's free choice.  Just take a picture of whatever you want.  I actually had an idea that I might do.  I thought about doing a picture a day of something my right hand is doing.  You know, like driving (well, that was one of my first ideas but clearly that isn't happening yet), cooking, grabbing... just whatever.  I also thought about doing a photo for the National __ Day.  You know how it's always something?  National Taco Day?  National Say Hi Day?  I think I might do a pic for each of those.  I think I'll go get started.